AHA Fall Pilgrimage in Guntersville

Join us for the Alabama Historical Association's Fall Pilgrimage in Guntersville, Alabama, on October 24-25! Additional information is available in the Fall Newsletter and online at alabamahistory.com/meetings.

This exciting weekend begins Friday evening with a special book talk and signing by Dr. Lesa Carnes Shaul featuring her work Midnight Cry: A Shooting on Sand Mountain at the Guntersville Museum, followed by a welcome reception sponsored by local partners. Saturday's activities take place at Lake Guntersville State Park, featuring a local history program and lunch followed by self-guided tours of historical sites including the Carey Ross Home and Estate, First Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church, the Gilbreath House, Glover Hotel, Henry House, Old Rock School, Old Post Office, and the Railroad Depot Museum.

Optional Friday tours include Cathedral Caverns State Park and the Kate Duncan Smith DAR School Museum.

The Guntersville Railroad Depot

Built in 1892, the Guntersville Railroad Depot played an important part in the history of the town beginning in the mid-1800s, although it took over fifty years of litigation before the railroad company established service in the town. In 1893, a rail transfer, or ferry, was initiated to close the gap between Hobbs Island and Guntersville in order to complete service between Nashville and Gadsden. The transfer was reportedly the longest of its type in the world. Steamboats were purchased by the railroad to run the transfer and were used in conjunction with barges on which the trains were transported. The depot became the center of passenger and commercial activity around 1900. People congregated around the depot during World Series games to hear scores announced by a railroad employee. The last of the old steam-powered locomotives made its final trip to Guntersville in 1950. The Depot recently re-opened as the Guntersville Railroad Depot Museum.

Photo courtesy of Pete Sparks

Cathedral Caverns State Park

Cathedral Caverns was opened to the public by Jacob Gurley in the 1950s, purchased by the state in 1987, and opened as a state park in the summer of 2000. The first feature most people notice about the caverns is its massive entrance, which measures 126 feet wide and 25 feet high. The formation “Goliath” is one of the largest stalagmites in the world, measuring 45 feet tall and 243 feet in circumference. Other unique features include a "caveman" perched atop a flowstone wall, a "frozen" waterfall, a large stalagmite forest and a most improbable stone formation - a stalagmite that is 27 feet tall and 3 inches wide. Please note: The AHA is not coordinating a tour with the park, so you are on your own for reservations at .

Photo courtesy of Billy Pope and Alabama State Parks

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